I found this one very interesting. It's basic stuff really, but I had to start somewhere. I am still trying Pimsleur, but with mixed feelings. Rosetta Stone just didn't do it for me. I think you need alittle bit of experience before trying that. If I could find a good teacher, that would be the way to go. I just love the language, and thought I could teach myself. These tools do help alittle, but patience and a good memory are a must.

Very cool. I want to learn to read and write Japanese. There is so much stuff here, it looks possible. First, I want to be able to speak fluently, then tackle the writing. This looks like a great thread to come back to.

Very cool. I want to learn to read and write Japanese. There is so much stuff here, it looks possible. First, I want to be able to speak fluently, then tackle the writing. This looks like a great thread to come back to.

Indeed it does. Thanks to all who have contributed in this thread, it's appreciated.

I'm in the process of teaching myself - wish I had the option of having a teacher

I've got language software, the Japanese coach DS game, all the music and videos I have, and various other things to try to immerse myself while here. I intend to go to Japan in the near future - ....so I hope I will learn there.

ProVoc is a great program to use for memorising words/kanji! It helped me a lot through my studies. You can make your own word lists, or there are downloadable ones. It's probably better to make your own, though. The program has a quiz feature! .... it's only available for Mac, though

So does anyone keep japanese blogs or something to try and get some practice in? I've studied Japanese for three years at university level. I passed the JLPT Level 3 with flying colours, but my writing/speaking skills are absolutely horrendous xD; I'm able to read and understand pretty well, but I really truly suck at making up my own sentences. I guess it's mostly lack of confidence, since I obviously know the grammar... but yeah. I need practice @_@

I'm going to Japan in the end of July, and will be gone through all of August \0/, so because of this I'm currently revising three years worth of Japanese studies ... or trying to anyway. I created an ameba blog (ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE DOING IT xD) where I'll try to write short simple updates to get to use my Japanese some before I leave. Would be awesome to connect to other Japanese learners so that we could comment on each other and uhm.. discuss difficulties we're having? Haha ^^;

If all the cool kids were jumping off a bridge, I'd start a blog too: http://ameblo.jp/miracle-u. I don't know what I intend to post there (probably string or nothing), but if I comment I'm not just a random dude.

Oh hey, anyone have any recommendations when it comes to electronic dictionaries? I have a very simple Casio Ex-word. It's good for looking up Japanese words I don't know, but not very good for looking up English words and getting suggestions for Japanese translations.

I've been using my DS with the lovely 漢字そのまま楽引辞典 for looking up kanji I don't know (when reading printed stuff, online I use Rikai), but I'd love to get an electronic dictionary with integrated touch pad for looking up kanji @_@;/Any and all recommendations welcome. I know there's a jungle of electronic dictionaries available, and I'm kind of scared of getting into all that again. I was so overwhelmed the last time I went 電子辞書shopping! xD;;;